Arusha National Park Situated in northern Tanzania in between Arusha and Moshi township is the little-known treasure of Arusha National Park. Covering approximately 552 sq. km (212 sq. miles),The park includes a diverse range of habitats. There are three distinct areas to be found: Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes and the rugged Mount Meru. Correlated to the altitude and geology of Arusha National Park you can find mountain rainforests, open savannah, alkaline lakes and even a volcanic crater. On clear days you get great views of Mount Meru, which is Africa's fifth highest mountain and within the parks boundary. You can also see across to Kilimanjaro - which is 50km away. The bustling town of Arusha stands in the foothills of Mount Meru at an altitude of about 1,500m. 

 

Arusha Wildlife

Despite its small size, Arusha National Park has a rich variety of wildlife. Within the park's three vegetation zones, many different kinds of animals can be found. Near water, reedbuck and waterbuck can be spotted, while shy bushbuck and duiker keep to the forested parts of the park.Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs. Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon

Almost 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Some of them are migratory and only present between October and April, others are permanent residents. further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos,There is also a variety of raptors, which hide in the forested areas of Mount Meru.

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What to do

There are a range of activities to do in Arusha National Park. This includes

• Birding Safaris

• Cultural Tourism

• Mountain Climbing

• Walking Safaris

• Wildlife Safaris

• Camping Safaris

• Luxury Safaris

• Wedding Safaris

• canoeing safari in lake Mommela

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Best time to visit

To climb Mount meru, June-February although it may rain in November. Best view of Mount Kilimanjaro December-February 

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Climate 

Arusha National Park’s climate is normally pleasant and mild. The Dry season is from June to September, and there are two Wet seasons: the ‘long rains’ (March to May) and the ‘short rains’ (November to December). The rainy season consists of afternoon thundershowers, but it would be rare for it to rain all day. 

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Getting there
By road : An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. 

By Air :There are two airports near Arusha: Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) is 40km east of town, off the main highway between Arusha and the mountain. KIA is used for larger international flights from Kenya, Nairobi and Europe, as well as regional safari connections in Tanzania. The much smaller Arusha Airport, on the town's western fringes, is a minor hub for Tanzanian regional flights.